AJ McKee Is Staying With Bellator, Signs Multi-Year Contract
He is 2-0 since moving up to lightweight.
AJ McKee isn’t going anywhere.
The former Bellator featherweight champion reportedly signed a multi-fight, multi-year extension with the promotion, according to MMA Junkie and Sports Illustrated.
McKee (20-1) has grown to become one of Bellator’s biggest names. He’s been with the promotion for his entire career.
The American fighter debuted in Bellator in April 2015. He defeated Marcos Bonilla by first-round submission. He went on to win 18 fights in a row.
Of those 18 fights, McKee scored a major upset win against featherweight champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire by guillotine submission in the first round.
McKee lost in the rematch by unanimous decision. After that, he moved up in weight to the lightweight division.
He’s had a successful run so far, winning both of his bouts by unanimous decision. His most recent win came from the cross-promotional Bellator vs. RIZIN event, where he defeated Roberto de Souza in the main event. Bellator dominated the event by winning 5-0.
McKee is reportedly expected to be one of the eight fighters who will participate in the lightweight grand prix. The winner earns the Bellator lightweight title and $1 million.
No date has been announced, but it’s expected to start sometime this year.